Automated baling press with bale kick-out carton holding means and sequencing controls

ABSTRACT

An automated baling press especially adapted for baling fibrous materials and enclosing it in a two part carton such as a kraft board box. The apparatus includes automatic controls to cause the press to move through its several motions such as movement to a position whereby the parts of the carton may be placed in the press box, the charging motion, the compaction stroke, and the holding position for placing ties or other securing means about the bale. The press includes means automatically responsive upon downward movement of the platen to hold the lower part of the carton on the platen for downward travel therewith. Means is provided to hold the upper part of the carton in the box pending closing of the press box doors. An automatic bale ejection means tilts the wrapped bale out the open door upon downward movement of the platen after the bale is tied out.

United States Patent [72] lnventors Donald W. Van Doorn;

William C. Pease, 111; Jack L. Colquett, all of Columbus, Ga.

[211 App]. No. 758,916

[22] Filed Sept. 10, 1968 [45] Patented June 15, 1971 [73] AssigneeLummus Cotton Gin Company [54] AUTOMATED BALING PRESS WITH BALE KICK-OUT CARTON HOLDING MEANS AND SEQUENCING CONTROLS 3 Claims, 8 DrawingFigs.

[52] US. Cl 53/52, 53/124 [51] Int. Cl B65b 57/00, B65b 1/24, B65b 63/02[50] Field of Search 53/124, 24, 52

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,406,495 10/1968 Beninger93/36 MM 3,451,185 6/1969 Tezuka 53/22 3,451,190 6/1969 Tezuka 53/1243,511,019 5/1970 Neitzel 53/52 1,948,615 2/1934 Clark l 53/24 3,307,3203/1967 Harriss 53/24 3,315,435 4/1967 Gunyou...... 53/24 PrimaryExaminer-Wayne A. Morse, Jr. Attorney-Jennings, Carter and ThompsonABSTRACT: An automated baling press especially adapted for balingfibrous materials and enclosing it in a two part carton such as a kraftboard box. The apparatus includes automatic controls to cause the pressto move through its several motions such as movement to a positionwhereby the parts of the carton may be placed in the press box, thecharging motion, the compaction stroke, and the holding position forplacing ties or other securing means about the bale. The press includesmeans automatically responsive upon downward movement of the platen tohold the lower part of the carton on the platen for downward traveltherewith. Means is provided to hold the upper part of the carton in thebox pending closing of the press box doors. An automatic bale ejectionmeans tilts the wrapped bale out the open door upon downward movement ofthe platen after the bale is tied out.

PATENTEU JUHI 519m 3,584,433

sum 2 BF 4 AUTOMATED BALING PRESS WI'II-I BALE KICK-OUT CARTON HOLDINGMEANS AND SEQUENCING CONTROLS This invention relates to baling pressesparticularly adapted for baling fibers such as cotton, manmade fibersand similar materials in a two part, kraft boardlike carton.

Our invention contemplates a baling press of the character designated inwhich the carton parts are supported respectively in the top portion ofthe press box and on the platen. Means is provided to secure the lowerpart of the box to the platen so that as the platen lowers into thecharging box to receive fiber, the carton effectively follows the platento the bottom of its stroke, without becoming dislodged and sticking inthe charging box.

Our invention further contemplates means to hold the upper part of thecarton accurately in place ready for the lower portion of the cartonwith the fiber therein and between the upper, open bottom upper part ofthe carton to telescope therein upon upward movement of the platen.

Our invention further contemplates apparatus of the character designatedin which the press is provided with dogs automatically effective, whenthe doors of the press box are open, to underlie the rearmost portion ofthe bale of fiber and, upon lowering of the platen, to discharge thebale through the open door by tilting it about its lower forward edge.

Our invention also contemplates means automatically effective toinitiate the operation of the press on its complete cycle upon insertionof the lower portion of the carton, permitting the upper portion to beinserted in the press box while the platen carrying the lower portion ismoving on its downward stroke for receiving a new charge of fiber. Suchcontrols also cause the platen to stop in position for placing thereon,and in the upper part of the box, the respective parts of the canon,after the ejection of a finished bale.

In general, our invention contemplates an improved, automated balingpress which is simple in construction, troublefree in operation andwhich may be operated with minimum supervision, the bale beingautomatically moved from the press on conveyors or the like once it isejected from the press.

Apparatus illustrating features of our invention is shown in theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this application in which:

FIG. 1 is a wholly diagrammatic, detail plan view of the press box andthe bale conveyors in front thereof, the press box door being shown inopen position;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken generally along lineII-II of FIG. 1 and showing the press with the platen in the uppermostposition and with a bale, in its box, therein, and in dotted lineposition the bale about to be ejected by tilting the same to cause it tofall out of the open press box;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the lower part of the pressbox and the upper part of the charging box and showing the platen inposition ready to receive the lower half of the wrapping carton;

FIG. 4 is a vertical detail sectional view illustrating the position ofthe platen and bale kick-out dogs in the uppermost position of theplaten, a bale being shown in elevational view;

FIG. 5 is a detail sectional view taken generally along line V-V of FIG.3.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken generally along lineVI-VI ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmental detail sectional view through the top portion ofthe press box and illustrating the construction and arrangement of themeans for holding the upper half of the carton in place pending closingof the door and formation of the bale; and

FIG. 8 is a wiring diagram and certain parts of the apparatus indiagrammatic form.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of ourinvention in FIG. I we show diagrammatically a portion of a press towhich our invention may be applied. As will be understood, the press 10may have a front door 11 which is adapted to be opened when the bale isformed. Also, as is understood, end doors Ila are articulated with thefront door so that upon opening the latter the end doors move apartslightly, thus to release the bale. In front of the press we showconveyor means 12 such as rollers to take away the bale after it hasbeen formed, as will be presently explained. In the drawings we show anup-packing press, namely, one in which the ram for actuating the platenis located beneath the floor 13 on which the entire press box properrests.

As will be understood, the press box itself comprises the usual verticaland horizontal frame members 14 and 16, respectively, it beingunderstood that there are a plurality of the vertically disposed members14 spaced close enough together to form the back of the press box.

The piston for the ram indicated diagrammatically at 18 in FIG. 8carries at its upper end a platen 19. The platen I9 is adapted to bemoved up and down, as will be understood, into the charging box 21 andupwardly to the bale compressing position as shown in FIG. 2. Further,as will be understood in connection with baling presses of this type,the fiber is supplied to the charging box while the platen is in thelowermost or retracted position.

As will be apparent particularly from FIG. 3 the top of the platen maycomprise a plurality of fore and aft extending heavy bars 22 spacedapart as indicated. These bars rest on a plate 23 and a subplate 24. Theplates are supported on vertically extending, heavy members 26 from ahorizontal plate 27 which issecured by a collar 28 to the top of the rampiston rod 17.

Piv'otally mounted as at 29 between a pair of the members 22, are bars31. As will presently appear, the bars 31 are adapted, upon lowering ofthe press after forming the bale, to engage certain members which willpresently be described, thereby to tilt the bale B out of the press box,permitting it to fall onto the rollers 12 to be carried away from thepress. As is shown in FIG. 2, during the compressing operation themembers 31 lie beneath the level of the tops of members 22, out of theway, permitting the platen to function in the normal fashion incompacting the bale.

Mounted at the rear of the press box are a pair of dogs 33. These dogshave forward portions 33a which are adapted to project through slots 34in the backwall of the press box. The dogs 33 are mounted on a commonshaft 36, pivoted in bearings 36a. One of the dogs has an extension 37extending rearwardly of the press to act as an operator for an electricswitch 38 which forms a part of the control circuit as will laterappear.

The platen is guided against the walls of the charging box by means of aplurality of rollers 39, these being arranged at the front, rear andsides of the platen. In view of the length of the stroke, these rollersaide in preventing side stresses on the ram piston rod, and assureaccurate centering of the platen as it moves up and down.

As before stated, an object of our invention is to be able to dress theplaten while in the upper position, by placing thereon the lower half ofa kraftboard carton. The lower half is indicated by the numeral 41. Inorder to pack the material properly in the lower carton part and to haveit telescope into the upper half indicated at 42, it is necessary toassure that the carton, during downward movement of the platen, whilefitting snugly in the charging box, does not become wedged or hungtherein, but continues to follow the platen downwardly to the lower endof its stroke. To this end we pivotally mount as at 43 on the sides ofthe platen a pair of gripper plates 44. Each plate is provided with apair of rollers 46 which are adapted, when the carton moves down intothe charging box, to engage the inner surfaces thereof, and move thegripper plates to the position shown in FIG. 6. Therefore, with thelower half 41 of the carton simply placed on top of the platen, as soonas the platen enters the charging box the upper ends 44a of the gripperplates move inwardly toward each other, gripping the carton, and holdingit so that it moves downwardly with the platen.

It will be noted that the press box is provided with liner plates 45 theupper edges of which are at a height just to sup port the lower, openedend of the upper half 42 of the carton. Further, the plates 45 areformed of material substantially as thick as the thickness of thematerial from which the cartons are formed. Therefore, when the platenmoves upwardly with the lower half of the carton thereon, and moves intothe press box, the inner half 41 accurately and surely telescopes intothe open end of the upper carton 42, assuring proper mating of theseparts. It will be understood that the door 11 also is provided with oneof the liner plates 45.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 2 and 7 we show a carton holding member47 which at its rearward end is pivoted on a pin 48. The pin 48 ismounted in a slot 49 in a pair of plates 53 so that the member 47 may bepulled outwardly and for its forward, hooked end 47a to move alsoslightly downwardly. A spring 52 urges the member 47 to the rear of thepress, or to the right as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7.

It will be noted also that the member 67 is mounted between the spaced,upper members 53 which form the top of the press box so that the forceof the material being packed is taken by the members 53.

From what has been so far described it will now be possible to furtherexplain the functioning of the carton holding and bale kick-outmechanisms. Starting with the press empty, and with the platen withdrawnto a position slightly below the door opening, while the ram isdescending the lower half of the carton with its open end upwardly isnow put in place on the platen. As will later appear, when the lowerhalf is placed on the platen, the carton engages ends 33a of the dogs,moving them from the full to dotted line positions shown in H0. 4. Thisactuates the ram for lowering the platen. As the platen lowers, thegrippers 44a move inwardly, gripping the lower half of the carton,assuring that it stays on the platen during its downward movement. Theupper half 42 of the carton, with its bottom uppermost, may be placed inthe upper part of the press simply by slipping it under the end 47a ofthe member 47 with its lower edges resting on the top edge of the linerat the rear of the press box. The spring 52 thus holds the invertedupper half in place, with its open end downward and resting on theliners 45. Also in this position it will be apparent that the members 31are recessed between the members 22, out of the way. The upper half 42of the carton is securely held by the end 47a of member 47 while thedoor 11 is closed. As soon as the platen reaches the bottom of itsstroke the carton is fed into the charging box as is customary, over thetop of the upwardly open half 41 of the carton. As will later appear inconnection with the description of the controls for our press, theramrod 17 now raises, bringing the load of fiber upwardly, and formingthe bale. The liners 45 assure that the inner half 41 of the cartonproperly telescopes within the open bottom of the portion 42, while thepacking is in process. Further, it will be noted that upon upwardmovement of the platen the dogs 33 are free to pivot outwardly to theposition illustrated in the dotted lines, FIG. 4. However, as soon asthe platen moves to the position illustrated in FIG. 2, namely, thefull, compaction position, the ends 330 of the dogs reenter the pressbox space. After tying out the bale and opening the press box door andupon again lowering the platen the inner ends 33a of the dogs engageunder the free ends of the pivoted members 31. Upon lowering of theplaten to a slightly lower position the bale is pivoted as illustratedin dotted lines, FlG. 2, about its front edge, and is tilted from theopen door.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 8, we will describe the wiringdiagram, and so much of the mechanical portions of our improved press asare necessary for a more full understanding of its operation. At 56 weillustrate an electric motor which drives a hydraulic pump 57. Hydraulicfluid is maintained in a reservoir 58 and the raising and lowering ofthe ram 17 in response to operation of the pump 57 is under control of avalve 59 which may conveniently be controlled by a solenoid 61.

It will be seen that movable with the platen l9 and, of course the ram17, is a switch actuating or cam bar 62. This bar actuates a pluralityof switches, in certain sequence, as will be explained. Further, thecontrol circuit utilizes control relays which are designated CR1, CR2,and CR3.

First, it will be noted that the switch 38 is mounted so that its switcharm 38a, when dressing the platen with the lower half of the carton,closes this switch. As already explained, when the lower carton part isput in position it engages and rocks the dogs 33 about their pivotpoint, bringing the extension 37 into contact with the switch arm 38a,closing switch 38.

For the purpose of better illustrating and describing the circuit, wewill assume the ram to be in the retracted position, that is, with thecam bar 62 and of course the platen in the lowermost position, ready toreceive fiber for the up movement. in this position it will be seen thatthe switch actuating arm or cam rod 62 will have actuated the followingswitches: An up" switch 63 will be closed; a two part eject switch 64,closing section ti -"la and opening section 64b; and a bottom limitswitch 66, opening the same. With the ram thus lowered the momentaryclosing of an up" switch 67 energizes relay CR1, which holds itselfenergized, and simultaneously starts motor 56 which drives the pump. Oilthus flows into the ram casing through the line 68, raising the ram andhence the platen 19. Since the camrod 62 is carried by the ram, as theram rises so does the camrod. This deactuates, in order, the bottomswitch 66, the two part switch 64, and the up" switch 63. As soon asswitch 63 again opens, control relay CR1 and motor 56 both deenergize,stopping the upward travel of the ram. The position just described isthe compressed position of the bale and the bale is now strapped in thiscompressed position.

After the bale is strapped the bale eject push switch 71 is momentarilyactuated. This energizes control relay CR2 which locks itself in. Also,since the *eject" limit switch 64 is not at this time actuated, thesolenoid valve 61 will also be energized. 0n energizing valve 61, oilfrom the casing is permitted to flow back to the tank 58 through theline 68, it being recalled that the solenoid 61 controls valve 59. Theram continues to lower until the camrod actuates switch 64. Thisdeenergizes the solenoid valve 61, stopping the flow of oil from thecasing and therefore stopping the downward movement of the ram. Duringthis initial downward portion of the travel of the bale, the kick-outsleds or pivoted members 31 engage upon the projecting ends 33a of thedogs 33, thus causing the bale to be tilted outwardly, it beingunderstood that the front door has been opened prior to lowering thebale. in this position of the ram the bale has been ejected from thepress and the ram follow block is in a position opening below thekick-out dogs and with the kick-out dog limit switch 38 in a deactuatedposition. With the parts in this position the bottom half or section ofthe carton is placed on the platen. When it engages against the kick-outdogs, and pivots them, they in turn close the switch 38. Since theswitch 64 is actuated of course its section Ma also is closed. Recallingnow that CR2 is still energized, this allows control relay CR3 toenergize and lock itself in. This also reenergizes the solenoid valve61, allowing the ram to descend by opening valve 59 to a position toreturn fluid from the bottom of the ram through the line 68 to thereservoir 58. When the ram descends to the bottom or retracted positionthe bottom limit switch is actuated, thereby deenergizing CR2, CR3 andthe solenoid valve 61. This completes one cycle of the ram.

it will be understood that while the ram was descending the upperportion or part of the carton was placed in the baling chamber and thedoor was closed.

In order to provide a safety feature, we provide a down" switch 72 whichwhen depressed stops the upward travel of the ram and energizes thesolenoid 6] to allow the ram to descend. Also included is a stop"pushbutton 73 which when depressed deenergizes all power to the ramallowing it to stop in whatever position it may be at the time thisswitch is opened.

In view of the foregoing it will be apparent that we have devised animproved, automatic baling press for fibers. Our invention ischaracterized by its simplicity and positiveness in operation and by thefact that we assure proper baling of each bale of fibers during thecycle of the press. The automatic kick-out feature wherein the completedbale is tilted out of the open door, and the ram automatically stops inposition for dressing the platen, affords a great saving of time in thecomplete cycle. Further, being able to place the upper half of thecarton in the press box while the ram is moving downwardly also aids ineliminating the time required for an overall cycle.

While we have shown our invention in but one form, it will be obvious tothose skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptibleof various other changes and modifications without departing from thespirit thereof.

What we claim is:

l. The combination with fiber baling apparatus embodying a press boxhaving a rear wall and a front door together with a reciprocable platenmovable into and out of the press box to compact the fibers, of:

a. means to eject a finished bale from the press comprising at least onedog movably mounted adjacent the rear wall of the press box and disposedupon final compaction of a bale therein for a portion thereof tounderlie the bale along its rear under edge,

b. means biasing the dog inwardly of the press box and which alsopermits the dog to move out of the press box on the packing stroke ofthe platen, and

c. a lever recessed into the top surface of the platen and pivoted tothe platen adjacent the edge thereof adjacent said door, said dog beingdisposed to rest under the free or nonpivoted end of the lever when thebale is compacted, whereby lowering the platen causes the free end ofthe lever to move upwardly, thereby ejecting the bale through the door.

2. In a fiber baling press wherein the fiber is baled in a twopartwrapping carbon such as a kraft board box, and embodying a press box anda platen movable into and out of the press box, the improvementcomprising:

a. means on the platen temporarily to secure thereto the lower part ofthe carton whereby it may be carried by the platen downwardly into afiber charging box located beneath the press box, said means comprisingfront and rear sets of grippers pivotally mounted on the platen wherebyas the platen lowers into the fiber charging box beneath the press boxthe upper ends of the grippers move toward each other, thereby squeezingbetween them the lower part of the wrapping carton resting on theplaten,

b. means adjacent the top of the press box temporarily to secure thereinthe upper part of the carton in position to mate with the up-movinglower part with the fibers to be baled being moved upwardly by theplaten, said means comprising:

1. an arm having a downturned outer end disposed to engage against theouter surface of the carton half, and

2. means resiliently urging the arm rearwardly of the press box, wherebya carton part engaged between the downturned outer end of the arm isthereby pressed against the rear wall of the press box and frictionallyheld in place to be mated with the up-moving part of the carton and toreceive fiber being moved upwardly with said lower part,

c. a liner in the press box substantially the height of the lower partof the carton and of a thickness at least as great as the wall thicknessof the material from which the upper part of the carton is made, wherebysaid carton parts may be telescoped with the lower part entering theupper part, and whereby the rear open edge of the upper part of thecarton, while being held by said arm, rests on the top of said linerpending closing of the press box and filling the same, and I d. meansresponsive to lowering the platen, with the press open, to eject thewrapped bale by tilting the bale about its lower front edge.

3. ln apparatus for baling fibers in which the same is to be enclosed ina two part, kraft boardlike carton and embodying a press box and aplaten carried by a ram movable from packing to fiber receivingpositions, the improvement comprising:

a. control means for the ram effective when energized to cause the ramto move on its packing stroke,

b. other control means effective when energized to cause the ram andhence the platen to move partially to retracted position after havingcompressed a bale of said fiber,

c. other control means effective to cause said ram to stop with theplaten carried thereby in a position for placing thereon one half ofsaid two part carton,

(1. other control means effective to cause the ram to move to fullyretracted position from the position set forth in (c) above upon placingsaid one-half of the carton on the platen,

e. a dog having a portion removably projecting into the press box andlocated to be engaged by and shifted upon placement of the said one-halfof the carton, whereby, upon so placing said one-half of the carton, thecontrol means recited in (d) above cause the ram and platen to movetoward fully retracted position with the carton half on the platen,

f. grippers mounted on the platen disposed upon movement of the platenfrom carton receiving position toward fully retracted position to gripthe carton half and thereby secure it to the platen during retraction ofthe platen, and

g. means responsive to lowering the platen, with the press open, toeject the wrapped bale by tilting the bale about its lower front edge.

1. The combination with fiber baling apparatus embodying a press boxhaving a rear wall and a front door together with a reciprocable platenmovable into and out of the press box to compact the fibers, of: a.means to eject a finished bale from the press comprising at least onedog mOvably mounted adjacent the rear wall of the press box and disposedupon final compaction of a bale therein for a portion thereof tounderlie the bale along its rear under edge, b. means biasing the doginwardly of the press box and which also permits the dog to move out ofthe press box on the packing stroke of the platen, and c. a leverrecessed into the top surface of the platen and pivoted to the platenadjacent the edge thereof adjacent said door, said dog being disposed torest under the free or nonpivoted end of the lever when the bale iscompacted, whereby lowering the platen causes the free end of the leverto move upwardly, thereby ejecting the bale through the door.
 2. meansresiliently urging the arm rearwardly of the press box, whereby a cartonpart engaged between the downturned outer end of the arm is therebypressed against the rear wall of the press box and frictionally held inplace to be mated with the up-moving part of the carton and to receivefiber being moved upwardly with said lower part, c. a liner in the pressbox substantially the height of the lower part of the carton and of athickness at least as great as the wall thickness of the material fromwhich the upper part of the carton is made, whereby said carton partsmay be telescoped with the lower part entering the upper part, andwhereby the rear open edge of the upper part of the carton, while beingheld by said arm, rests on the top of said liner pending closing of thepress box and filling the same, and d. means responsive to lowering theplaten, with the press open, to eject the wrapped bale by tilting thebale about its lower front edge.
 2. In a fiber baling press wherein thefiber is baled in a two-part wrapping carbon such as a kraft board box,and embodying a press box and a platen movable into and out of the pressbox, the improvement comprising: a. means on the platen temporarily tosecure thereto the lower part of the carton whereby it may be carried bythe platen downwardly into a fiber charging box located beneath thepress box, said means comprising front and rear sets of gripperspivotally mounted on the platen whereby as the platen lowers into thefiber charging box beneath the press box the upper ends of the grippersmove toward each other, thereby squeezing between them the lower part ofthe wrapping carton resting on the platen, b. means adjacent the top ofthe press box temporarily to secure therein the upper part of the cartonin position to mate with the up-moving lower part with the fibers to bebaled being moved upwardly by the platen, said means comprising:
 3. Inapparatus for baling fibers in which the same is to be enclosed in a twopart, kraft boardlike carton and embodying a press box and a platencarried by a ram movable from packing to fiber receiving positions, theimprovement comprising: a. control means for the ram effective whenenergized to cause the ram to move on its packing stroke, b. othercontrol means effective when energized to cause the ram and hence theplaten to move partially to retracted position after having compressed abale of said fiber, c. other control means effective to cause said ramto stop with the platen carried thereby in a position for placingthereon one half of said two part carton, d. other control meanseffective to cause the ram to move to fully retracted position from theposition set forth in (c) above upon placing said one-half of the cartonon the platen, e. a dog having a portion removably projecting into thepress box and located to be engaged by and shifted upon placement of thesaid one-half of the carton, whereby, upon so placing said one-half ofthe carton, the control means recited in (d) above cause the ram andplaten to move toward fully retracted position with the carton half onthe platen, f. grippers mounted on the platen Disposed upon movement ofthe platen from carton receiving position toward fully retractedposition to grip the carton half and thereby secure it to the platenduring retraction of the platen, and g. means responsive to lowering theplaten, with the press open, to eject the wrapped bale by tilting thebale about its lower front edge.